The imperial hall buzzes with hushed conversations as ministers cluster in small groups, discussing the incident at the imperial hunting ground. The Minister of Works, who was present at the scene finds himself besieged by questions.
"Fellow ministers, I truly don't know what occurred at the hunting ground!" the elderly minister exclaims, his frustration palpable.
In the Dragon Palace, a tense scene unfolds outside the Emperor's chamber. The Captain of the Palace bodyguards has cordoned off the Emperor's bedchamber with guards, denying entry to the imperial family.
"Since when does the Captain of Palace bodyguards control access to the Dragon Palace?" The Imperial Consort's voice cuts through the air as she approaches.
The lower-ranked concubines and imperial children promptly part to make a pathway, bowing as they greet, "Your Highness."
The Imperial Consort ascends the stairs, her purple robe trailing behind her. Fixing a commanding look on the Captain, she demands, "Explain yourself."
He bows respectfully before responding, "Your Highness, I act on His Majesty's direct orders. Please understand."
The Imperial Consort scoffs, turning to those below. The concubines and imperial children lower their gazes, wary of her unpredictable temper. She glances around, noting the absence of the Empress, the First Prince, and the Second Prince.
The arrival of her children, the Fourth Prince and Princess Royal, softens her demeanor. "Mother," they greet her from below. She beckons them both to join her at the top much to the envy of the others.
They ascend the stairs with the Captain bowing his head to greet them. She pulls the Fourth Prince, Bayan aside.
"The Empress must know something. Otherwise, she'd be here demanding to see the Emperor," she whispers.
Bayan sighs, irritated by her baseless speculation. "Mother," he says with a forced smile, "why don't you visit the Phoenix Palace and ask the Empress yourself?"
"You—" she starts, then restrains herself. "Look, even the First and Second Prince are absent."
Bayan looks around, acknowledging her observation. "In that case, we should leave now. Father won't be pleased if he learns you're causing trouble here," he suggests, seizing the opportunity to persuade her.
The Imperial Consort hisses, annoyed at his dismissal. She returns to the Captain and asks quietly, "Was His Majesty truly assassinated at the imperial hunting ground? Is that why you won't let us see him?"
"Your Highness," the Captain cautions.
"Could it be that His Majesty is… dead?" she whispers.
The Captain steps back, bowing as he warns sternly, "Please be mindful of your words, Your Highness."
"If His Majesty is truly… no longer with us," she chooses her words carefully, "there is currently no heir to the throne. This could lead to chaos."
She's certain something is amiss and intends to gain the upper hand by swaying the Captain and everyone here to her side. Murmurs ripple through the gathered concubines and imperial children, some fearing for their futures, others calculating which faction to align with.
The Imperial Consort smirks, noting the Captain's wavering composure. The Fourth Prince steps away to distance himself from his mother's machinations. The power struggle between the Empress's faction and his mother's will surely cause a bloodbath.
Suddenly, a voice echoes from the hallway, "You must be praying for my early death." The doors swing open, revealing the Emperor, supported by the Head Eunuch.
The Captain drops to his knees in an instant, followed by everyone except the Imperial Consort.
"Your Majesty," they chorus, their voices tinged with shock and reverence.
The Imperial Consort stares at the Emperor, stunned. Judging from his full court attire, she concludes he must have been awake the entire time. The Emperor shifts his gaze to her.
"Well, aren't you going to greet me?"
The Princess Royal tugs at her mother's sleeve, prompting her to curtsy. "Your Majesty," the Imperial Consort greets, clearly still shaken from her voice.
She glances up to find the Emperor's chilling gaze lingering on her before he walks away. The crowd begins to disperse, with many concubines and imperial children relieved they hadn't started choosing sides.
The Imperial Consort slowly rises, her face taut with embarrassment. "You never fail to make things worse," Princess Ayslin, the Princess Royal huffs and walks away with the Fourth Prince.
Clenching her fist, the Imperial Consort mutters, "That spiteful witch," cursing the Empress. "She must have known about this. That explains her absence."
Inside the imperial hall, there is still much unrest. Discussions are being made especially with the prospect that the Emperor may have passed away or be on the brink of death.
"Why don't we wait first? His Majesty might be alive and well," one minister suggests.
"For the peace of the nation, we must decide who to enthrone—"
"His Majesty is here!" the Head Eunuch announces. The ministers turn towards the entrance behind the throne.
The Emperor enters, resplendent in his golden robe and crown. The stunned ministers fall to their knees, bowing deeply. "Long live Your Majesty!" they chorus in unison.
Settling into his throne, the Emperor remarks, "It appears I have caused worry among my subjects. A moment longer, and one of the princes might have been chosen to succeed me."
"We would never dare, Your Majesty!" They exclaim, hearts pounding in fear of the implication behind his words. The Emperor's eyes narrow with suspicion as his gaze shifts towards the Grand Chancellor, noting his calm demeanor.
"Please be at ease, my dear subjects. I won't be departing from this world anytime soon," he says with his eyes still on the Grand Chancellor. Then he rises from the throne, his gaze sweeping through the hall before he exits.
At his exit, the tension in the hall dissipates. The trembling ministers struggle to their feet, almost collapsing from relief.
On the way back to the Dragon Palace, the Emperor meets the Captain waiting outside the Dragon Palace.
"We have identified and apprehended the individual responsible for poisoning the horse. The suspect is currently under interrogation," the Captain reports.
The Emperor moves to stand beside him, casting a sidelong glance. "I wonder whose side you would have chosen," he remarks, his tone deceptively casual.
The Captain's eyes widen in alarm. He drops to his knees immediately, cupping his fists and bowing his head low. "My loyalty belongs to you alone, Your Majesty!" he declares with fervor.
A smirk plays across the Emperor's lips. "Take me to the ladies first," he commands.
The Captain clumsily rises to his feet, dabbing at his sweaty brow as he leads the way.